Electronic licence application pub plans

The Government will consult on plans to let hosts submit licence applications electronically this autumn, Licensing Minister Gerry Sutcliffe has said.

Sutcliffe defended the process of minor variations and said a decision on licence fees will be made "very soon", in an interview with the MA.

Asked if there were plans for further reform of licensing, he said: "The Government will consult in the autumn on proposals to allow fully electronic applications and notifications under the Licensing Act.

"This has the potential to save applicants considerable time and money and, when combined with other measures, such as minor variations, will mean that the licensing regime will have been made significantly easier this year."

Licensing experts had said the new minor variations process, confirmed earlier this week (Licensing red tape burden reduced​) would lead to inconsistencies between councils.

Sutcliffe said "detailed statutory guidance should ensure a broadly consistent approach".

"We would expect councils to explain the new process to residents on their websites and, eventually, in their licensing policy statements."

He also denied the process won't work in areas where the licensing officer hasn't been granted the right powers — if this happens, applications must be considered by the licensing committee or sub-committee instead.

The trade has been waiting for information on whether the Government will follow the advice of the 2007 Elton report into local government finance and increase licence fees by 7%.

Sutcliffe said: "The Government hopes to reach a decision on fees very soon."

He said the decision "will take account of the current economic situation and any potential impact on licensees and councils".

• Read the full Q&A with Gerry here​​.